Do not practice avoidance.
Those areas in which you feel
that your drawing is the weakest
that your drawing is the weakest
are the ones to tackle head on."
~ David H. Ross
Draw the Human Figure Anywhere, Anytime
For today’s in-demand comic creators, animators, video game artists, concept designers, and more, being able to quickly draw the human figure in a variety of action-packed poses is a requirement. But what do you do if you don’t have models or photographic reference readily available? In Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators, artist and instructor David H. Ross provides an alternative solution, showing you how to master freehand figure drawing without visual reference by using a modern twist on the classic technique of blocking out the human figure in mannequin form. Step-by-step lessons guide illustrators from basic poses (standing, running, jumping) to extreme motions (throwing punches, high kicking). For on-the-go artists, Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators allows you complete freedom to bring your figures to life at any time.
Like an actor, you must make a study
of the human body language and gestures.
~ David H. Ross
This
teaching tool originates from a trusted and very gifted source: David
H. Ross, an illustrator seasoned for over fifty years with Marvel
Comics, DC Comics as well as Dark Horse Comics. That alone is
encouragement and strikes intrigue. Displayed in textbook format,
Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators aims to achieve its
subtitle goal of improving one's skill of mastering this technique
from memory. This is a fantastic reference guide for projects and
sketchbook drafting, but the main focal point the author demonstrates
is locking this knowledge within the artist by liberating them “from
any dependency” on models. Albeit quite intimidating, it is enough
to make any passionate student thirsty for the challenge.
Opening
the book is a primer on technical perspective concentrating on the
variations of three-dimensional drawing. Although this may seem to be
geared a bit more toward comic and graphic novel type areas, these
can really be used as the foundation for any figure sketches
expanding into more realistic depictions. Ross generously includes a
glossary of related terms followed by thorough explanations parallel
to diagrams mapping out his teachings. This first chapter closes with
an introductory exercise.
The
author continues by exemplifying his “glass mannequin”, a basic
model of the human body sans anatomical detail, allowing the
imagination to remain open to the artist. Glossaries are no longer
provided amongst the chapters, but terms are defined within the text.
Diagrams are dissected and molded into varieties of positions and
motion. An exercise for the reader is still given at the end of each
section. Natural lines of rhythm, proximity and the utilization of
props are demonstrated throughout the standing figure lesson. Moving
on to covering the figure in motion as well as in different stages of
repose, the artist finds such topics as incorporating balance and
weight distribution.
Finishing
out the text are personal favorites delineating components of the
head, feet and hands. The latter of which was immediately applied
within the sketchbook of yours truly. The skeletal and muscular
systems are comprised of anatomical parts that are categorically
diagrammed in their scientific terminology, such as scapula, humerus,
clavicles, and trapezius. An absolute must for all artists training
their eye.
Ross
proclaims two statements upon concluding the book that hit home.
First, in the comparison to an actor, the student is required to
familiarize and meticulously come to know the language of the human
body. And last, but not least he encourages the challenge in diving
into those areas where you feel are the weakest in your skills.
Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators is exactly the type
of reference an artist needs in their studio library. It is most
definitely a delightful welcome to mine.
David H. Ross is an illustrator who has worked with all of the major North American comic book publishers including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Dark Horse Comics. He has produced storyboards for feature films, and prepared artwork and advised on special projects for television. For the past ten years, he has held workshops on drawing for comic books and has acted as co-coordinator and instructor of a successful three-year Sequential Arts diploma program at Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art, and Design in Toronto, Canada.
Visit the author & artist
at his website
Preview and purchase Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators
This book was provided free for review by
Watson-Guptill Publications
